Gasification Process

The gasification process at the NCCC is based on the Transport Gasifier, a circulating fluidized bed reactor which was designed based on successful operations of fluid bed catalytic cracking. Some features of the Transport Gasifier include:

• Simple, well established design based on technology in use for 70 years which does not require expansion joints
• Equally effective gasification in either air- or oxygen-blown modes of operation, making it suitable for power generation or production of liquid fuels and chemicals
• High reliability non-slagging design, which allows a 10- to 20-year refractory life
• Operation without burners enhances reliability and minimizes maintenance requirements
• Use of coarse, dry coal feed, which requires fewer, lower power pulverizers, and less drying than other dry-feed gasifiers
• Cost-effective operation and high carbon conversion with high moisture, high ash, and low rank fuels, including subbituminous and lignite coals
• Excellent heat and mass transfer due to a high solids mass flux, with a solids circulation rate 80 to 100 times greater than the coal feed rate

Syngas produced in the gasifier is cooled, filtered in a hot gas particulate control device, and is available for testing a variety of gas cleanup technologies. Operation of the gasification process also allows testing and development of numerous gasification related technologies, such as high pressure solids handling equipment, advanced instrumentation, hot gas filter components, and gas analysis equipment.